chapter 25

What is agar used for in laboratory settings?

Agar is a gelatinous substance that is used in laboratories to culture microorganisms.

What is an analyte in laboratory testing?

An analyte is the substance that is undergoing analysis in a laboratory test.

What is a blood film used for in medical laboratories?

A blood film is a slide with a thin layer of blood that is used for microscopic examination of blood cells.

What does it mean to calibrate laboratory equipment?

To calibrate laboratory equipment means to test its accuracy by checking it against a known standard.

What is a centrifuge used for in a laboratory?

A centrifuge is a machine that spins samples at high speed to separate liquids from solids.

What is chain of custody in laboratory testing?

Chain of custody refers to the procedures used to ensure the quality and integrity of laboratory testing.

What is a control in laboratory testing?

A control is a known positive or negative sample used to ensure the accuracy of test results.

What is hemoglobin and what is its function?

Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to body tissues and transports carbon dioxide back to the lungs.

What is electrophoresis used for?

Electrophoresis is a technique used to sort proteins by size by forcing them through a charged gel matrix.

What is histology?

Histology is the microscopic study of tissue.

What is an infection?

An infection is the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microorganisms in body tissues.

What is a microorganism?

A microorganism is a microscopic living organism, also known as a microbe.

What does nonpathogenic mean?

Nonpathogenic describes a microorganism that does not produce disease.

What is a pathogen?

A pathogen is a microorganism that produces disease.

What is a reagent in laboratory testing?

A reagent is a substance used in testing that produces a chemical reaction in the presence of the substance being tested.

What is a reference range in laboratory results?

A reference range is the range of laboratory measurements that are considered normal.

What does sterile mean in a laboratory environment?

Sterile means completely free from all living microorganisms.

What is toxicology?

Toxicology is the study of the adverse effects of poisons or illicit substances on the body.

What is urinalysis?

Urinalysis is a laboratory test used to study urine.

What do medical laboratory careers involve?

Medical laboratory careers involve using science in medicine to perform tests and procedures that help monitor and determine a patient’s health status.

Do medical laboratory professionals usually have direct contact with patients?

Most laboratory personnel have minimal direct contact with patients despite their critical role in healthcare.

What is the typical work environment of a laboratory like?

The laboratory provides a clean, well-lit, and controlled work environment with regular working hours.

Where can laboratory professionals work?

Laboratory professionals can work in hospitals, outpatient centers, stand-alone laboratories, physician’s offices, colleges, universities, and industry settings.

What fields offer opportunities for laboratory professionals?

Laboratory professionals can work in clinical laboratories, blood banking, pharmaceutical research, cosmetic testing, food science, and public health.

How are laboratory professionals involved in biotechnology and forensics?

Laboratory professionals may work in biotechnology to help develop new treatments and in forensics to study causes of death.

What physical demands are associated with most laboratory work?

Most laboratory work is done while sitting and requires strong attention to detail and consistency.

What skills are necessary to perform laboratory work effectively?

Excellent vision and manual dexterity are necessary to perform laboratory work effectively.

Why is accuracy so important in laboratory testing?

Accuracy is important because errors can lead to serious consequences such as misdiagnosis, job loss, or even patient death.

What is an example of the consequences of inaccurate laboratory results?

An example of inaccurate laboratory results is a false positive drug test that could cause someone to lose their job or an incorrect blood type result that could lead to death after a transfusion.

What event led to increased regulation of laboratory testing in 1987?

In 1987, a Wall Street Journal exposé revealed that laboratories failed to detect cervical cancer during Pap smears, resulting in several deaths.

What are the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)?

The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments are federal standards established in 1988 to ensure quality and accuracy in laboratory testing.

What is the purpose of CLIA standards in laboratory testing?

The purpose of CLIA standards is to ensure that laboratory tests produce consistent and accurate results regardless of where they are performed.

What must laboratories do to comply with CLIA standards?

Laboratories must comply with CLIA standards by meeting quality requirements, undergoing inspections, and obtaining certification from the Department of Health and Human Services.

What qualifications are required for laboratory personnel under CLIA?

Laboratory personnel must meet specific educational qualifications to work in certified laboratories under CLIA standards.

What is the main goal of CLIA regulations?

The main goal of CLIA regulations is to ensure that the same laboratory test yields the same results regardless of location or personnel.

What is a pathologist?

A pathologist is a medical doctor who examines body tissues, fluids, and secretions to diagnose disease.

What role does a pathologist play in healthcare?

A pathologist works with other healthcare professionals to help determine diagnoses, evaluate treatment effectiveness, and identify causes of death.

What responsibilities does a pathologist have in the laboratory?

A pathologist oversees the processing and analysis of laboratory samples and testing.

What are some different types of pathologists?

Different types of pathologists include anatomic, forensic, clinical, surgical, and veterinary pathologists.

What education is required to become a pathologist?

To become a pathologist, a person must complete medical school and then obtain specialized training in pathology.

Where can pathologists work?

Pathologists can work in hospitals, medical schools, government agencies, and private industry.

What role does a pathologist often have in hospitals?

In many hospitals, the pathologist supervises the laboratory.

What does a pathologists’ assistant do in the laboratory?

A pathologists’ assistant performs technical and physical tasks such as preparing specimens and assisting with examinations.

What tasks are performed by a pathologists’ assistant?

A pathologists’ assistant prepares and isolates specimens, performs gross and microscopic examinations, and runs tests to identify disease.

How do pathologists’ assistants contribute to autopsies?

Pathologists’ assistants may examine corpses and assist in autopsies to help determine the cause of death.

How does a pathologists’ assistant support the pathologist?

A pathologists’ assistant provides findings and data to the pathologist, who then makes the final diagnosis.

What education is required to become a pathologists’ assistant?

A pathologists’ assistant must complete a 4-year undergraduate degree followed by a 2-year master’s program with clinical training.

What subjects are studied in a pathologists’ assistant program?

Students study human anatomy and physiology, pathology, medical photography, and histology.

What organization accredits pathologists’ assistant programs?

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accredits pathologists’ assistant programs.

What certification is required after completing a pathologists’ assistant program?

Graduates must pass an exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology to earn the PA(ASCP) credential.

What are the continuing education requirements for maintaining PA(ASCP) certification?

Pathologists’ assistants must complete 60 hours of continuing education every 3 years to maintain certification.

What does a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) do?

A medical laboratory scientist performs laboratory testing and analyzes results using independent judgment.

What types of specimens does a medical laboratory scientist work with?

A medical laboratory scientist works with blood, body fluids, tissues, and cells.

How does a medical laboratory scientist analyze specimens?

A medical laboratory scientist uses microscopes and laboratory equipment to examine specimens and measure analytes.

Who uses the results produced by a medical laboratory scientist?

Physicians and other healthcare professionals use these results to diagnose, monitor, and treat diseases.

What quality control responsibilities does a medical laboratory scientist have?

A medical laboratory scientist calibrates equipment and evaluates the accuracy and usefulness of tests and procedures.

What education is typically required to become a medical laboratory scientist (MLS)?

A prospective medical laboratory scientist usually completes a bachelor’s degree in a life science or physical science, such as biology or chemistry.

What additional training is required after earning a bachelor’s degree for an MLS?

After earning a bachelor’s degree, an MLS must complete a training program or clinical rotation that can last up to one year.

What type of MLS programs do some schools offer?

Some schools offer dedicated 4-year MLS programs that include extensive hands-on laboratory experience.

What standards must MLS programs meet to be accredited?

MLS programs must meet the standards set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

What are the certification requirements for becoming an MLS through ASCP?

The American Society for Clinical Pathology requires completion of an accredited program, proof of clinical experience, and a passing score on a national exam.

What credential is earned after passing the ASCP certification exam for MLS?

After passing the ASCP exam, an individual earns the credential MT(ASCP).

What is required regarding laboratory experience for MLS certification?

MLS candidates must provide proof of experience in a CLIA-certified laboratory.

How many states currently require licensure for laboratory personnel?

There are currently 11 states that require licensure for laboratory personnel.

What are some states that require licensure for laboratory personnel?

States that require licensure include California, Hawaii, Florida, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nevada, West Virginia, Montana, and Georgia.

What is a microbiology technologist and what do they do?

A microbiology technologist collects specimens and grows and isolates microorganisms to help identify them.

Where might a microbiology technologist obtain specimens from?

A microbiology technologist may collect specimens directly from patients or receive materials from an autopsy.

What is the role of a cytotechnologist?

A cytotechnologist prepares and examines cells to help diagnose diseases.

How are cells collected for cytotechnology analysis?

Cells are collected by scraping, swabbing, or aspirating them from an organ or body site.

What types of conditions can cytotechnologists help diagnose?

Cytotechnologists can help diagnose cancer, infections, and inflammation by examining microscopic cells.

What does a histotechnologist specialize in?

A histotechnologist specializes in the preparation and study of tissue samples.

What does a chemistry technologist analyze?

A chemistry technologist analyzes body fluids and waste materials.

What is hematology?

Hematology is the study of blood.

What is cytogenetics?

Cytogenetics is the study of how genes affect cells.

What is molecular biology?

Molecular biology is the study of how cells behave at the molecular level.

What is blood banking in laboratory science?

Blood banking is a specialty in which medical laboratory scientists test blood types and antibodies for transfusions.

What certification does ASCP offer in blood banking?

The American Society for Clinical Pathology offers a specialty certification in blood banking.

What is the role of a medical laboratory technician (MLT)?

A medical laboratory technician performs routine laboratory tasks under the supervision of a medical laboratory scientist or pathologist.

What tasks are performed by a medical laboratory technician?

A medical laboratory technician prepares tissue slides, performs simple blood tests, collects samples, analyzes specimens, and conducts cell counts and urinalysis.

How much education is required to become a medical laboratory technician?

A medical laboratory technician must complete at least two years of training.

What is required to take the MLT certification exam through ASCP?

To take the MLT certification exam, a person must have an associate degree from an accredited program and additional training.

Do some states require certification or licensure for medical laboratory technicians?

Yes, some states require certification or licensure for medical laboratory technicians.

Can medical laboratory technicians specialize in histology?

Yes, medical laboratory technicians can specialize in histology.

Where can histology technicians work?

Histology technicians can work in hospitals, forensic laboratories, research facilities, veterinary practices, and marine biology settings.

What are the certification requirements for histology technicians?

One certification route requires an associate degree or 90 quarter hours and one year of supervised experience in histopathology.

Who must supervise histology technicians during their training?

Histology technicians must be supervised by a certified pathologist during their training.

What is the role of a medical laboratory assistant (MLA)?

A medical laboratory assistant collects patient samples and performs routine laboratory tests under supervision.

What types of tests can a medical laboratory assistant perform?

A medical laboratory assistant may perform tests in urinalysis, hematology, serology, and bacteriology.

What education is typically required to become a medical laboratory assistant?

A medical laboratory assistant typically completes a two-year certificate program while gaining supervised laboratory experience.

What is required for certification as a medical laboratory assistant?

Certification requires completion of an accredited program and passing a registry examination.

What do life scientists study?

Life scientists study living organisms and life processes, including growth and reproduction.

What level of education is typically required for life science research careers?

Life science research careers typically require a master’s degree or doctoral-level education.

What fields are included in medical research conducted by life scientists?

Medical research includes biology, anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, physics, physiology, and microbiology.

What are some responsibilities of life scientists?

Life scientists are responsible for developing new drugs, plant varieties, treatment methods, and environmental protection strategies.

What do biotechnologists or genetic engineers study?

Biotechnologists or genetic engineers study and manipulate the genetic design of plants and animals.

Where do most life scientists work?

Most life scientists work for the federal government, private industry, or universities.

What do microbiologists study?

Microbiologists study bacteria, algae, viruses, and other microorganisms that cause or prevent disease.

What are some achievements of microbiologists?

Microbiologists have contributed to the development of vaccines and the understanding of how diseases are transmitted.

What do clinical microbiologists do?

Clinical microbiologists identify microorganisms in specimens and may help develop new drugs.

Where do microbiologists typically work?

Microbiologists usually work in hospitals or private industry such as pharmaceutical companies.